SKILLFUL INTENTION

SKILLFUL INTENTION

―Whatever one frequently thinks and ponders, that will become the inclination of the mind.‖

-MN 19

The final factor of the noble eightfold path is skillful intentions. In the section on kamma we noted that our intentions are the most important aspect of our physical, verbal, and mental actions. The Buddha described intentions (thoughts) as either skillful or unskillful (wholesome or unwholesome). He noted that his thoughts/intentions could be categorized as 3 types. The 3 corresponding sets of unskillful and skillful intentions are:

Unskillful Intentions Skillful Intentions

Desire, greed, lust Non-desire (generosity/renunciation) Ill-will, anger, hate, fear Non-ill-will (lovingkindness) Harmfulness, cruelty Non-harmfulness (compassion)

For each of these pairs, we need to discern for ourselves when our thoughts are skillful and when they are unskillful. With skillful effort (page 29), we wish to cultivate the skillful thoughts/intentions and abandon the unskillful ones. Using the 4 foundations of mindfulness to investigate the 3 sets of intentions helps us to discern the wholesome from the unwholesome. When we are caught up in greed or desire, we can recognize that it is unskillful. We investigate the sensations of the breath and body, the feeling tones and mind states, etc.

Then we intentionally abandon the unskillful thoughts. Next, we cultivate the opposite. We cultivate the skillful intentions of generosity and renunciation. With ill-will, we can see when we are angry, hostile, fearful or otherwise resisting what is present. We let it go and cultivate lovingkindness (metta). When we are lost in thoughts of harmfulness such as wanting to hurt ourselves or someone else, say something cruel or unkind, or lash out in some way, we can release those intentions and cultivate compassion for ourselves and others.

It is helpful to practice cultivating skillful intentions as part of our daily practice. As the quote at the beginning of this section indicates, we influence the inclinations of our minds by the contents of our thoughts. Modern neuroscience and psychology have shown that habitual thinking patterns reinforce themselves. Neurological pathways are strengthened by continued use. Nonused neural pathways atrophy. We become what we think. Therefore it is important to be aware of the content of our thoughts and cultivate our minds skillfully for the good of ourselves and others.